Christmas in Japan

Hello again. As you know this year our school project is about ASIA so I want to tell you how Japanese people celebrate Christmas. You can also watch the video below.

 Christmas In JAPAN

Christmas was introduced in Japan by the Christian missionaries, but now the Christmas season in Japan is full of meaning and is almost universally observed. The idea of exchanging gifts seems to appeal strongly to the Japanese people. For several weeks before the day, there are decorations and wonderful displays of appropriate gifts for men, women, and children -- especially children.

Many western customs have been adopted by the Japanese. They also eat turkey on Christmas Day, and in some places there are even community Christmas trees. They decorate their houses with evergreens and mistletoe, and in some homes Christmas carols are sung gaily.

In Japan there is a god or priest known as Hoteiosho, who closely resembles Santa Claus. He is always pictured as a kind old man carrying a huge pack. New Year's Day is the most important day of the whole calendar in Japan. On New Year's Eve the houses are cleaned and  decorated. Then the father of the household marches through the house, followed by all the family (dress themselves in their finest clothes), and drives the evil spirits out. He throws dried beans into every corner bidding the evil spirits withdraw and good luck enter.